Final Thoughts On Protein Powders While Breastfeeding Or Pregnant
Overall, protein powders in limited amounts should be safe for pregnancy, but you should always check with your health care provider and show them the exact protein powder product you would like to enjoy.
Most importantly, Your doctor can review the ingredients list and give you the seal of approval to give you peace of mind.
Finally, I consumed protein powders and collagen peptides when I was pregnant and felt confident knowing I was meeting the recommended amounts of dietary protein for pregnant women, leading a healthy lifestyle, and protecting my babies. Bonus: I didnt get stretch marks which I swear is thanks to the collagen!
Cheers to good health, mama!
References:
Teras Whey Organic Protein
With 21 grams of pure whey protein, then this small treasure is a treat in a glass. Our natural whey protein has been combined with natural Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla for an ideal mix of excellent flavor and pure wellbeing. Since we think healthy choices should still be tasty.
Our accredited USDA Organic whey protein is locally sourced from small family farms from the dairy heartland of AmericaWisconsin. Our cows have been pasture-raised for so long as the grazing period enables and consume only natural, non-GMO grass and forage.
These cows are ethically-raised rather than treated with growth hormones or antibiotics.
Protein Powder For Pregnancy
There are several types of protein powders that have really only recently risen in popularity.
The population that typically includes protein powders in their diet the most is serious athletes as they have increased needs for protein. However, everyday athletes and even those who dont partake in physical activity use this convenient, quick source of protein.
Add it to coffee, smoothies, oatmeals, soup, or shake it up with water and you have a quick 10-25 grams of protein.
For any population, foods high in protein should always be the first choice. This is in short because protein foods include much more than just protein. That being said, during pregnancy, you may be wanting to add protein powder in your diet for two practical reasons.
Similar to athletes reasoning, protein needs are higher during pregnancy and continue to climb through each trimester, therefore it may be challenging to meet your needs.
The Prenatal Nutrition Library will help you calculate your unique protein needs.
The second reason might be nausea or food aversions. When nausea hits, food intake suffers and protein is typically the first to go.
During this time, smoothies can be extremely helpful in getting many of the food groups.
Smoothies are an easy way to get in fruit, veggies, fats, and protein. Its essential to include all of these components!
Also Check: Can I Drink Breakfast Essentials While Pregnant
The Issue Of Passing Ingredients To The Unborn Child
A pregnant mother must consume the right foods and nutrients when pregnant because whatever is consumed by the mother will affect the babys growth and development. Further down the line, it could also affect the babys health, even after it has been born.
Although all of the ingredients within green powders are nutrient-rich, energy-boosting and beneficial to the function of the brain, there are a lot of ingredients that many people will never have heard of before, never mind consumed. Even when someone that isnt pregnant starts to take green powders, they might have some side effects. This is why we always recommend easing into taking green powders and stopping or halving the dosage if you start to see adverse effects.
Although taking green powders is extremely beneficial in the long run, if youre pregnant body reacts badly and shows adverse effects on some of the ingredients, then you could harm your baby. Its best not to introduce new, strong ingredients to your body while youre pregnant as its not worth the risk it could cause.
Protein Powder During Pregnancy: Is It Safe
![Important Benefits of Protein Powder During Pregnancy ... Important Benefits of Protein Powder During Pregnancy ...](https://www.pregnancyprotips.com/wp-content/uploads/important-benefits-of-protein-powder-during-pregnancy.jpeg)
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During my first pregnancy, I went from eating eggs every single morning to not being able to stand the smell of them.
I needed protein, especially with my workout routines.
But struggled to meet the recommended amount because of strong food aversions and nausea.
So I started adding nutrient-rich protein shakes to my diet to help bridge the gap.
I was skeptical at first because I was unsure if they were safe to consume during pregnancy, but protein shakes really helped me meet protein needs without having to choke down eggs every morning!
If food aversions and nausea are making it difficult for you to get enough protein during pregnancy, then protein shakes might be a great option for you.
However, before taking my advice, you might want to run that by your obstetrician, just to be sure that she agrees with my assessment, in view of your individual situation.
Before we talk about safe protein powder during pregnancy, lets first talk about protein requirements.
Disclosure: Although I am a certified prenatal/postnatal exercise specialist and personal trainer, I am not YOUR trainer. The content on this blog is for informational purposes only and should not be a substitute of the information and advice you receive from a healthcare professional.
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How Much Protein To Take During Pregnancy
The exact amount of protein you need to take during pregnancy depends on your weight. It can be anywhere between 70-100g.
How to calculate protein content in your food? A chicken breast piece contains 26g of protein while a hard boiled egg contains about 6g. If you prefer getting your protein from plant sources then thats not a problem at all. You can get about 9g of protein from just ½ cup of lentils!
Heres a daily protein intake suggestion
- 2 boiled eggs = 12 grams of protein
- 1 ounce of nuts = 6 grams of protein
- 2 glasses of milk = 16 grams of protein
- 1 cup cottage cheese = 28 grams of protein
- 3 ounces of baked salmon = 15 grams of protein
- 1 bowl of lentil soup = 9 grams of protein
Sometimes its not possible to get all protein you need just through your normal diet, this is where protein powders come in. Please remember that protein powders cant replace a proper meal but can definitely be taken as a supplement along with your food.
Talk to your doctor to understand the correct amount of protein intake during your pregnancy.
Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides
Along with my prenatal vitamin, collagen is one of my prenatal and postpartum supplement must-haves.
It has made a significant difference in my joint health, hair growth, and skin elasticity.
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body and is found in connective tissue, bones, skin and organs.
For this reason, it can help to prevent stretch marksby improving skin elasticity and reducing inflammation.
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Better Sources Of Protein
Perhaps the best way to get protein is through your food rather than a powder. Lean meats , low-mercury fish, and certain grains and legumes are among the best choices.
You can get a whopping one-third of your daily protein requirement from just one serving of red meat. A 4-ounce serving of ground beef gives you about 24 grams of protein!
So enjoy a steak or burger once or twice a week, but dont go nuts. Red meat is high in cholesterol and fats and may affect your heart health. Additionally, a 2014 review found that mothers who ate more animal protein during pregnancy had children with higher blood pressure.
Some seafood is also a great choice for you. But bigger fish sometimes contain mercury, a toxin. The advises that pregnant women avoid fish like:
- mackerel
- swordfish
- tilefish
Also avoid raw or undercooked seafood. This means no fish-based sushi while youre pregnant or nursing.
The best plant proteins include:
- legumes
Best For Lactation: Milk Dust Lactation Protein Powder
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No dairy, gluten, or soy
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Non-GMO
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More expensive
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Has 4 grams added sugar
Spending nine months growing a baby is just the beginning, especially if you plan to breastfeed. Its currently recommended that breastfeeding moms get a minimum of 1.05 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day. However, recent studies suggest that the number should be closer to 1.7-1.9 g/kg/day. Thats 135-150 grams of protein per day for a mom who weighs 175 pounds.
Look no further than Milk Dust Lactation Protein Powder, which can help you meet those high protein needs. While it may look lower in protein than other brands at first glance, the serving size is one scoop so if you have two scoops, which is the serving size in most other protein powders, youll hit 32 grams of protein.
Milk Dust Lactation Protein Powder is derived from plant-based proteins including pea protein, brown rice protein, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, and flax seeds. In addition, it includes a Lactation Blend of milk thistle, red raspberry leaf, brewers yeast, fenugreek, and fennel seeds to support breastfeeding. Milk Dust is sweetened with four grams of natural sugar, stevia, and monk fruit and comes in a delicious vanilla flavor perfect for blending into smoothies.
Servings per container: 22 | Type of protein: Pea, Brown Rice, Pumpkin, Chia, Flax | Grams of sugar per serving: 4 | Grams of protein per serving: 16
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No gluten, dairy, or soy
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Vegan and kosher
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May be too sweet for some
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More expensive
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Fillers And Flavouring Agents
Fillers are substances added to protein powders to add bulk when mixed into a shake. They also give texture and consistency to the drink that makes it taste better. Some common fillers include xanthan gum, guar gum, palatinose and other ingredients that have little or no nutritional value. They can add some empty calories and make you feel fuller without any actual benefits. Flavouring agents are often devoid of any nutrition, and sometimes they are not all that natural as they claim to be. They are treated chemically and processed before making their way into the protein powders. So avoid powders containing fillers and flavouring agents.
Alternative Sources Of Protein
If you cant really take meat protein, here are some great alternative sources of protein:
Lentils can be added to most vegan and vegetarian recipes. | ||
Quinoa | 8 g | Quinoa is known to be an alternative to rice and yet provide good amounts of protein altogether. It can be used for a variety of baked and stir-fried recipes. |
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Pros Vs Cons Of Daily Shake Pregnancy & Postpartum By Ritual
Pros
- 20 grams of protein per serving sourced from organic, US-grown yellow peas
- Complemented with 250 mg of choline 493 mg of l-methionine
- Naturally flavored and sweetened with organic, sustainably sourced ingredients
Cons
- Probiotic Blend
Nourishing Lactation Protein Powder is sourced from 3 organic vegan protein sources which include pea protein, brown rice protein, and chia seed protein.
This products ingredients have been thoroughly screened for identification, purity, microbial safety, and major contaminants such as heavy metals and pesticides.
It is recommended for women to use 2 scoops daily and this protein powder may be used throughout the entire duration of nursing.
Slimplanet Daily Protein Shake
![Best Protein Powder for Pregnancy 2021 Best Protein Powder for Pregnancy 2021](https://www.pregnancyprotips.com/wp-content/uploads/best-protein-powder-for-pregnancy-2021-how-to-choose.jpeg)
You may want to consider getting this best protein powder for pregnancy from Slimplanet! Enjoy protein shakes without any guilt with the Slimplanet Daily Protein Shake. This protein shake is intended for women who are trying to lose weight, but who said pregnant moms could not have this too?
Whats great about this proteinshake is it is low in calories. So, if you are the type of pregnant lady wholoves eating for two, you do not have to worry too much if you are taking morethan the additional 300 calories needed!
This protein shake amazing hasonly 70 calories per serving, and that is equal to less than a half cup ofrice! You can take this protein shake any time of the day, and you can add someberries and fruits for a healthier drink.
Other Features:
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What To Look For In The Best Protein Powder For Pregnancy And Breastfeeding
Whether you are breastfeeding or just a pregnant mom, you should look for a protein powder that has the following features:
The Safest Prenatal Protein Powders For A Healthy Pregnancy
This post probably contains affiliate links, to items I am in love with, and I am confident you will too! For any health advice I give on nutrition and weight loss, make sure you check with your doctor, as I am not a health professional. I am just a mama with lots of health and fitness knowledge and experience.
These protein powders are some of the best for pregnant mamas and growing babies. Protein powder during pregnancy is an awesome way to consume more nutrients for both mama and baby, but choosing a safe prenatal protein powder can be a bit tricky. I also talk about protein powders that are safe for breastfeeding, and the guidelines and products for pregnancy are very similar. I am going to walk you through what makes a safe protein powder, the benefits of prenatal protein powder for pregnancy health and which ones fit the bill on all these terms! Ive been fortunate to try many of these protein powders, so I can describe to you the taste as well.
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Should I Look At Other Sources Of Protein During Pregnancy
Sourcing your protein from natural food sources is a better way to reach your nutritional needs. Lean meats such as chicken, turkey and low mercury fish are all safe sources to consume whilst pregnant and provide many nutritional benefits.
You can easily get one third of your daily protein requirements from one serving of red meat or one chicken breast! It is also important to note that red meat is high in cholesterol and fats which can affect your heart health if consumed regularly.
Some seafoods such as mackerel, swordfish and tilefish can contain high levels of mercury which should be avoided by pregnant women. Raw meats and undercooked seafoods should also be avoided if pregnant and is recommended to consume plenty of plant-based protein sources such as legumes, lentils, wholegrains and oatmeal.
A good rule of thumb is to include a protein portion at every meal so you can easily meet your daily target.
Eating just one serving of red meat or a chicken breast can help you meet a third of your daily protein requirements
Are Superfood Powders Safe During Pregnancy
4/5Superfood Powderspowdersafeforsafe during pregnancy
Beside this, is Green Superfood powder safe for pregnancy?
These include Barley Grass, Wheat Grass, Spirulina, Chlorella and Kale. These supergreens are completely fine to take during pregnancy and breastfeeding and even contain nutrients which are important during gestation. Our Cert.
Also Know, is Chlorella powder safe during pregnancy? Pregnant and breast-feeding women should maintain a balanced diet that is rich in fiber and chlorophyll as well as a healthy lifestyle. Adding Chlorella to your daily health routine as soon as possible during your pregnancy is highly recommended.
Then, are protein powders safe during pregnancy?
Some kinds of protein powders are safe during pregnancy. Adding a spoonful when you need it can help meet daily protein needs for you and your growing baby. You may not need to take a protein powder. And besides, too much protein can be too much of a good thing, and this should be avoided.
Is it safe to eat spirulina while pregnant?
Spirulina is, indeed, safe for both pregnancy and breast feeding. The common misunderstanding is that Spirulina contains too much Vitamin A, which can cause some problems. However, it is always advisable for pregnant women to consult their GP or other qualified health professional before taking any food supplements.
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Is Protein Powder Suitable For Pregnancy
It is a pleasure to answer that now as of 2020 there are definitely clean protein powders whose ingredients are pure enough to enhance your pregnancy nutrition. It is a wonderful idea to drink protein shakes throughout your pregnancy as long as you are sure to choose the right type.
Some protein powders contain so many vitamins and minerals they can be compared to your prenatal!
Protein powders have come quite far in their nutritional content in the more recent years and some provide a myriad of different nutrients that are essential to a healthy pregnancy.
Protein powders are usually seen as a supplement, so its a good idea to have any supplement cleared by your trusted OBGYN or midwife.
As you may well know, your nutritional requirements are exponentially increased during pregnancy.
While it is ideal to get your nutrients from your diet as they are more readily absorbed and in their most pure and natural forms, your nutritional needs during pregnancy are so high in fact that certain nutrients must be consumed in the form of a supplement.
Like a really clean prenatal vitamin that contains real folate, not the artificial folic acid that theres a good chance you cant even absorb.
High-quality protein powders are another great way to get all these extra vitamins and minerals into your diet that are required to grow a healthy baby.